Unexpected Desires

CHAPTER 6: Hidden Desires

Chapter 6: Hidden Desires

Mayari Calleope's Point of View

"You?!" Gulat na pahayag ko habang nakaturo ako sa lalaking humablot ng sigarilyo ko no'ng nakaraang araw.

Anong ginagawa niya rito? I mean, dito ba siya nagt-trabaho?

"The one and only," he retorts with a smirk, utterly unfazed by our unexpected encounter. Or baka naman kanina niya pa ako nakikita at hindi ko lamang siya napansin?

Umupo ako sa bar stool at pinanood siya sa kaniyang ginagawang paghahalo ng mga alak.

"What are you doing here? Dito ka ba nagt-trabaho?" Nagtataka kong tanong sa kaniya. Habang pinapanood ko siya kung paano siya mag-flip ng mga bottles ay hindi ko maiwasang humanga. I can say that he's doing this bartending thing effortlessly.

"Hmm, one might say that," he responds mysteriously, leaving me in a state of intrigue.

"s*x on the beach, my lady," he declares with a hint of seduction as he serves a female patron, his lips curling into a charming smile. The woman blushes, utterly captivated by his showmanship.

Kilig na kilig 'yung babae sa ginawa nitong pagngiti at paghalik sa likod ng palad nito. Hindi ko maiwasang mapairap. Cringe. Kailangan ba talaga may paggano'n?

"What's yours?" Baling niya sa akin.

"Five glasses of martinis." Order ko. Sandali namang napatitig siya sa akin na para bang sinusuri niya kung siryoso ba ako sa order ko.

"What?" Mataray na tanong ko sa kaniya.

"Who are you here with?" he probes, signaling to another bartender to prepare my order.

"I'm with my friends. At bakit mo ba tinatanong?" Masungit na tanong ko sa kaniya. Yumukod naman siya sa bar counter at siryosong nakipagtitigan sa akin. Dahil doon ay agad kong naitras ang aking mukha.

Oh, for Pete's sake! Muntik na magtama ang tungki ng ilong namin.

"Don't get yourself too drunk, lady." Paalala niya sa akin habang pinaniningkitan niya ako ng kaniyang abuhin na mga mata.

I furrow my brow. "Why should it concern you if I decide to enjoy a few drinks? First, you meddle with my smoking, now you're policing my drinking habits. Are we friends now or something?" I snap, my patience wearing thin.

Seriously? Kung umakto ang lalaking 'to ay para bang close na close kami. Ni hindi ko nga siya kilala. Ni pangalan niya hindi ko rin alam.

"Pfft..." His laughter fills the air, infectious and sincere. I can't help but wonder what he finds so amusing.

"What's so funny?" Takang tanong ko sa kaniya. Umayos naman ito ng pagkakatayo habang natatawang umiiling-iling.

"Nothing... I just find it entertaining when you're irritated," he replies, attempting to conceal his amusement behind a hand. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

"Anong nakakatawa kapag naiinis ako?" I retort irritably. His eyes twinkle with amusement as he struggles to stifle his laughter, his hand attempting to hide a burgeoning smile.

For some inexplicable reason, I find it endearing.

"You appear quite adorable when you're annoyed," he remarks, chuckling. His comment leaves me momentarily speechless.

Ramdam ko rin ang biglaang pag-iinit ng aking mga pisngi, senyales na namumula ang mga ito.

He caught me off-guard there, I admit.

"Here are your five martinis, ma'am," his colleague announces, breaking our locked gaze.

Tumingin naman ako rito at bahagyang tumango.

"Thanks." Pagkatapos ay bumaling ako sa lalaking hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin alam ang pangalan.

"Please lang tigilan mo na ako. Kung wala ka talagang magawa sa buhay mo, pwes maghanap ka ng ibang mapagt-trip'an. Ni hindi nga kita kilala eh, huwag kang feeling close!" Mataray na pahayag ko sa kaniya habang binibitbit ko ang aking order.

Ngumiti naman siya sa akin. Grr! Mas lalo akong naiinis kapag ngumingiti siya. Why must his smile be so captivating?

"Riley." Anito. Agad na kumunot ang noo ko.

"Anong Riley?!" Asik ko rito.

"I'm Riley Del Fierte Middleton," he states with a glimmer of mischief in his eyes, and I freeze in place.

His name rings a faint bell in my memory. Parang narinig or nabasa ko na 'yung name niya somewhere pero hindi ko lang matandaan kung saan.

"And so? Pakialam ko?" Asik kong muli rito. Natawa naman siya sa inasta ko at napailing-iling.

"Sabi mo kasi hindi mo ko kilala kaya eto, nagpapakila ako sa'yo," he teases, a sly smile playing at his lips.

"Whatever! I have no desire to acquaint myself with you!" I snap before rolling my eyes again. Annoyingly, he chuckles.

"I, on the other hand, would very much like to get to know you," Riley comments, causing me to pause and turn back to face him. He smiles sweetly, an undercurrent of amusement dancing in his eyes.

I scrutinize him. Riley is undeniably handsome, especially when he smiles, revealing two dimples on either cheek. His eyes shimmer with charm, a magnetic presence drawing the attention of women at the bar who subtly vie for his favor.

He's genuinely charming, there's no denying that. But he's a jerk!

"What's your name? I've already disclosed mine, and it wouldn't be fair if you didn't reciprocate," he reminds me.

Napabuntong-hininga na lamang ako. May magagawa pa ba ako? He has a point somehow. Ang rude ko naman kung hindi ako magpapakilala samantalang siya ay nagpakilala na sa akin.

"Mayari," I respond, locking eyes with him.

"Mayari Calleope Guevarra," I added after a brief pause.

Saglit kaming nagkatitigan ni Riley hanggang sa ito mismo ang unang umiwas.

"W-wow. What a lovely name," he whispered, the words delicate and gentle.

"Thanks," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. His compliment had caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but feel a subtle connection forming.

"Mukhang bagay sa apilyido ko," Riley said with a knowing smile, and for a moment, the world around us seemed to fade. What did he mean? His cryptic comment left me momentarily stunned, my mind racing to decipher his intentions.

A chuckle escaped his lips as he noticed my bewildered expression. "You okay?" he teased, his laughter dancing in his eyes. It was as if he had a knack for making me flustered, and I couldn't help but wonder if he enjoyed watching me squirm.

Buwisit na lalaki 'to! Ganoon ba kaluwag ang turnilyo nito sa ulo at kung anu-ano na lamang ang lumalabas sa bibig nito?

"I-I'm fine! Babalik na nga ako sa table namin! Diyan ka na nga!" I retorted, feeling the heat of embarrassment creeping onto my face. I turned away awkwardly, my heart pounding, and made my way back to my friends' table, their curious glances making me feel even more self-conscious.

In the distance, I could hear Riley's hearty laughter and his spirited shouting, his presence lingering in my thoughts.

"Nice to meet you again, Mayari! I'll see you later on the dance floor!" he called out, hindi ko alam kung bakit pero kusa na lamang akong napangiti.

See you later, jerk.

Riley's Point of View

"Damn, man! What was that?!" Nakangiting tanong ni Red sa akin pagkarating nito. Mag-isa lang ito dahil wala si Ice dahil nasa bakasyon ito kasama ang kaniyang mag-ina. Habang 'yung iba naman naming mga kaibigan ay abala sa kani-kanilang mga negosyo.

Itong si Red lang ata palagi ang maraming oras.

"The usual, please," Red instructs the bartender, attracting attention to himself.

"Geez, man! I've never met anyone like her!" I exclaimed, my excitement palpable. "It's as if, from the moment I first laid eyes on her, I've been struck by a lightning bolt, freezing me in place with her beauty," I continued, my words carrying the weight of my fascination.

Red chuckled after taking a sip of his drink, his eyes sparkling with amusement. It was impossible to deny the magnetic pull that Mayari had on me.

"Looks like we're in love, buddy," Red teased, his tone light but perceptive.

"In love my ass, Red. It's just that she's different from the others," I said, my gaze never leaving Mayari. She was out there on the dance floor, embracing the night with her friends, and I couldn't help but admire her from afar.

I was utterly captivated, unable to divert my attention from her swaying hips and radiant smile. She was nothing short of magnificent.

"She's a beauty," Red acknowledges, momentarily drawing my gaze.

"Keep your damn eyes off her," I admonish him, my voice low and intense, catching him off-guard. There was an inexplicable possessiveness welling up inside me, and I didn't want any competition.

"Whoa! Whoa! Chill, man! I have my Tara. Hindi tayo talo-talo rito." Anito habang natatawang sumisimsim sa kaniyang inumin.

Sinamaan ko naman siya ng tingin.

"Mabuti na 'yung nagkakaintindihan tayo." Saad ko rito na ikinatawa muli nito. Though, alam ko namang hindi talaga gano'n si Red at loyal dog ito kay ate Tara, I still couldn't ignore the unfamiliar feelings stirring within me. It was as if Mayari had cast a spell, one that I couldn't quite decipher.

"So, what's your plan about her?" Red inquired as we continued to watch Mayari's infectious joy on the dance floor.

"What else? I'm going to make her mine," I declared with a sly grin, my determination unwavering as my eyes remained fixed on Mayari.

"That's my boy," Red responded with a knowing nod, and I fell silent, the gravity of my intention weighing heavily on my mind.

I smiled to myself, a sense of anticipation building within me.

Mayari Calleope Guevara, brace yourself, because I am determined to make you mine.